September 8, 2005

Name:

Rocky

Age:

Fifteen years old

Gender:

Male

Kind:

Umbrella Cockatoo

Home:

Sun City, California, USA

I
found Rocky through a small ad in a local paper for a mere $200. At
first, he didn't seem to like people because he hissed and displayed
whenever I got near him. But I brought him home with me anyway and
started interacting with him. Before long, he began to show his true
colors: a very loving and affectionate bird that loves the human touch.

Rocky is also very quiet for a cockatoo. He rarely feels compelled to
make much noise, usually settling on a few 'peeps' when he wants
attention. He's never been aggressive and has never bitten anyone. He
is so affectionate that he will even drop his favorite treat if there
are scritches coming his way. And he's very gentle, too, even with the
tiny hand that belongs to my neighbors eighteen-month-old child. When she
reaches up to him...he simply lowers his head looking for more
scritches. I typically leave his cage open while I'm home, and if I
leave his view for any length of time he will typically go back inside
on his own and wait there for me.

All the personality that comes through in his photos doesn't even
scratch the surface, words cannot describe how lucky I am to be owned by
him. After almost thirteen years he has been nothing short of spectacular,
and the most incredible pet I could ever ask for.